In Crown Point, Indiana, a couple’s introduction to parenthood took an unexpected turn, leaving their family with mixed emotions. While grateful for the healthy arrival of their new baby, the circumstances surrounding the birth were far from ideal, according to relatives.

Mercedes Wells found herself enduring labor pains as she was wheeled out of Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital on Sunday. Despite being a mother with previous childbirth experience, hospital staff had discharged her, advising her to return home until her labor further advanced.

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Cherise Thompson, Wells’ sister-in-law, was taken aback by the news of the unfolding events. She had been aware that Wells was at the northwest Indiana hospital but was unprepared for the shocking update she received shortly after.

“Sunday morning, I was jolted awake by urgent messages from my mother,” Cherise recounted. “She was frantic, telling me to call her immediately. When I did, she was in a panic, exclaiming, ‘Your brother just delivered his baby! He delivered the baby!’ I was in disbelief, asking, ‘What are you talking about?!'”

“Sunday morning, I woke up to frantic texts from my mother saying, ‘Call me as soon as you wake up,’” Cherise said. “My mother was screaming like, ‘Your brother just delivered his baby! Your brother just delivered the baby!’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?!’”

After the Crown Point hospital discharged Mercedes, Cherise said, her brother, Leon, escorted his wife back into the truck to find another hospital.

Eight minutes into their drive, Leon and Mercedes’ daughter was born on the side of the road, delivered by her father.

“He grabbed, like, a blanket, and then, put the baby on Mercedes’ chest, my niece on her chest, and drove the rest of the way to the hospital, to Munster Community,” Cherise said.

Doctors at Munster Community Hospital took over, providing the care Cherise says Mercedes pleaded for in Crown Point.

“Mercedes begged her. She begged her,” Cherise said, referring to the nurse. “She said, ‘I’m really in active labor. I can feel it, contractions as I walk. I mean my pain. I’m telling you; I can feel it.’ And she just ignored her.”

The family is now calling for accountability.

“I want there to be some sort of change so that other families don’t have to experience this,” said Cherise.

Mercedes’ brother-in-law, Lance Thompson Jr, also weighed in.

“If it implements change, implements strength, implements courage for other women that’s going through this,” Lance said, “Then, that’s what I’m looking for, personally.”

Franciscan Health Crown Point said in a statement, in part, “The video and the comments it has generated are deeply troubling, and we understand the concern this has raised. The video is just one part of the information we are reviewing as part of a thorough investigation into this alleged incident.”

The parents, with their attorney, are planning to hold a news conference on Tuesday morning to talk about how they plan to pursue justice in this case.

As for the couple’s newborn daughter, Cherise says she and mom are doing well, and that her niece has a couple of heroes as parents.

Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Raymond Grady said in a statement, “We are aware of the video and the concerns expressed on social media regarding the discharge of a pregnant patient from Franciscan Health Crown Point. We are grateful to learn from online and media reports that both mother and child are reportedly doing well.

“The video and the comments it has generated are deeply troubling, and we understand the concern this has raised. The video is just one part of the information we are reviewing as part of a thorough investigation into this alleged incident.

“While patient privacy laws make it difficult for us to comment more deeply, it is important to note that the videos and the narrative surrounding them do not accurately represent Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Catholic healthcare ministry’s values, which include respect for life, compassionate concern and Christian stewardship. Our goal is to make everyone who walks through our doors feel the love of Christ through our actions.

“The reality is disparities in healthcare outcomes exist and Franciscan Health Crown Point strives to be part of the solution, not the problem.”

“We remain committed to meeting and exceeding all regulations and best practices for care, and we will take appropriate action based on the findings of our review.”